Mark Twain was born in 1835 on the day of the appearance of Halley's Comet, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910. He himself predicted this in 1909, when he said: "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it."
Was that a prophecy of something ordained by fate, or the materialization of an expectation?
Who knows!
This much, however, one can posit: verbalizing negativity cements it -- or perhaps a better metaphor, plants it like a seed.
The plant yields "fruit" and the fruit borne is bitter.
When someone sends you negative wishes -- "bad vibes" -- it isn't pleasant, is it? You can feel it. That's because it's sort of a curse. Often, it's someone who's angry, self-loathing, anxiety-ridden, bitter, or, simply jealous -- wishing you less than the best.
That's bad enough. Ignore them.
But how about when you do it to yourself?
You are where you are today, a preacher noted recently, in part because of what you have said and thought about yourself.
Speak blessings upon yourself -- not curses. Bless your life -- as you bless those around you.
Words are seeds. Especially when you say it out out, you give life to what you're thinkng.
Reality forms. When we think or speak something and it takes form in the body this to "somatacize."
"I'm sick of this," we say, and sneeze ("allergies"). "It gives me a headache." "What a pain in the neck." "This will be the death of me."
Here comes Halley's comet.
This is not to promote self-centeredness, nor what focuses only on prosperity. There is suffering in life! There is sacrifice!
When sacrifice is desired by the Lord, embrace it (particularly during Lent). But the question here: Do we speak life or death, success or failure, clarity or fog?
Joy or sorrow?
Bless yourself. If things are tough, say, "It's okay," "I'll get through," "I'll come out of this," "I'll be blessed."
"I'll be better for it."
When sick, "This will quickly pass."
It will! When life is "great," we draw happiness from that very word.
Loving life is living it.
Speak success on your projects. Pronounce this success. Declare it out loud.
What do you predict for your life?
Listen to yourself -- your words and thoughts.
When it's chilly and rainy or snowy, do you say, "I'm going to get sick; I'm going to catch a cold; I know it; I always do!"?
Is "I can't" a key phrase in your vernacular?
If you want a certain fruit, you have to plant the seeds -- say the words -- for that fruit. Plant it. Speak blessings. If it's God's Will, it'll come fast. Bring yourself into blessings by speaking the favor of God. James says that with our tongues we can bless our lives or curse them. "I'll never meet the right person," "Ill never be able to get a house."
We do the devil's work for him. We especially work for the enemy when we wish others less than the best. This boomerangs. We end up hurting ourselves.
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing," says James 3:10.
Instead of expecting sickness -- or worse, death -- we should declare, "I'm getting stronger, healthier, younger."
In prayer, during the Rosary, at Mass: think back to what you may have brought upon yourself. Call out for good things. Be a magnet for the positive. Ignore the negativity of others. Speak victory over yourself. Don't cancel out your destiny.
Even when we are struggling, we can bless ourselves through it.
"God helps those who help themselves."
Perhaps also: "God blesses those who bless others, and themselves."
